Jet wet suit cover system for gaspath cleaning

ABSTRACT

A water sealed chemically resistant cover seals the body of a turbojet or turbofan engine. Sealed connections to hoses lead to a water and cleaning fluid input hose to transmit cleaning fluids and water from a cleaning pump into the jet engine and one or more runoff output hoses to transmit runoff fluids from the engine to a filtering system, which filters the runoff fluid of toxic chemicals and pumps the filtered runoff fluid into disposable containers for environmentally safe disposal, or to a 55 gallon drum without the filtration system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to covers for turbojet engines andturbofan engines and in particular to a complete wet suit cover forenveloping a turbojet engine or turbofan engine during gaspath cleaningoperations and connecting hoses to a filtering system or drum creatingan enclosed gaspath cleaning system to eliminate spillage of toxicrunoff from the gaspath cleaning operation.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Many different factors are involved in maintaining efficient andclean running gas turbine engines. Some of these factors involvepreventive maintenance and some involve non-preventive maintenancepractices which basically could be summarized in unscheduled removalsand installations.

[0005] Periodical gaspath cleaning is one of the preventive maintenancepractices which is strongly recommended to minimize compressor andturbine contamination. There are documented cases of one-time compressorwash improvements in TSFC (Total Specific Fuel Consumption) and EGT(Exhaust Gas Temperature) of 0.85% and 8 degrees C respectively ;however, experience indicates that gaspath cleaning before thecontamination becomes set is more beneficial.

[0006] One operator reports a fleet TSFC improvement of 1.0% utilizingengine gaspath cleanings every three months.

[0007] The recommended gaspath cleaning interval is 1000 to 1200 hourscommencing after a heavy maintenance.

[0008] Most engine manufacturers estimate a reduction of 1.0% TSFC and10 degrees C EGT over a 6000 hour period with regular gaspath cleaning.Using this procedure, there may be no significant improvements notedafter each wash since the interval selected was one which would easecontaminant removal rather than one which would result in a noticeableincrease in TSFC and EGT prior to wash.

[0009] An additional benefit of gaspath cleaning washes is the effect ofreducing turbine sulphidation. Engine manufacturers' tests have shownthat gaspath cleaning washes remove water soluble substances applied tothe turbine.

[0010] A large domestic operator using gaspath cleaning washes at 100 to150 hour intervals with expanded repair limits has been successful inreducing turbine blade scrap rate due to sulphidation damage at 6200hours from 100% to less than 5%.

[0011] It should be noted that gaspath cleaning for sulphidationreduction requires much shorter time intervals between washes than thoseused for compressor cleaning. The problem with the cleaning of gasturbine engines is that the chemical spray and toxic particulatesremoved from gas turbine engines are hazardous waste and should not bedumped into a normal drainage system.

[0012] Different operators do it differently. Some operators use a hoseto spray the solution into the intake side of the engine and someoperators use a J hook which is inserted from the tail pipe through thebypass core and then positioned right in front of the 3rd stagecompressor and then stream sprayed rearward. Some even use an adapterthat goes from the ignitor plug hole inside of the engine and spray thesolution in.

[0013] What is needed is a legal affordable system that works with allcleaning methods for turbojet and turbofan engines to catch the runoffand preventing spillage of the runoff that provides a legal andecological way for airlines to clean their engines on a regular basisand filter the toxic runoff to dispose of it properly and not spoil theenvironment or risk being fined for pollution.

[0014] While some efforts have been made in this direction they fallshort of a completely enclosing a system for use in the full range ofturbojet and turbofan engines for regular gaspath cleaning maintenance.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,217, issued May 4, 1999 to Testman, providesan engine wash recovery system which uses a partial covering (Aprontype) over a turbo propeller engine and not a turbojet or turbofanengine to prevent spillage of the cleaning liquid run through the engineat slow speed with a collector for the liquid. It includes a small drainhose from a low point in the engine and a larger hose from the engineexhaust duct. It does not completely enclose the engine and would notwork with current turbojet or turbofan engines.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,903, issued Sep. 3, 1957 to Davies, shows aprotective transparent cover for a jet engine for shipping the engine toprotect the engine, prevent spillage of oils and fuels, allow the engineto be viewed, and provide sealable openings for a lift device to accessthe engine. This device has no means of interconnecting to a cleaningand filtering system.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,980, issued Mar. 7, 1972 to Peterson, claimsa lightweight jet engine cowl cover to protect a jet engine from dustand contaminants while the jet is on the ground with an opening to allowworkmen to enter the engine and the use of a translucent sheet to admitlight. Again, no provision is made for use during a gaspath cleaningmaintenance operation.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,321, issued Sep. 1, 1992 to Jackson,describes a folding protective cover for turbo-engines to cover the airinlet and exhaust ducts while the plane is on the ground with handlesand the use of lightweight material to assist in the installation andremoval of the cover, which folds up into a compact size for carryingand storing. Again, no provision is made for use during a gaspathcleaning maintenance operation. A universally applied and completelyenclosed system for covering and enclosing a turbojet or turbofan engineand interconnecting to a filtration system is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide a completelyenclosed system for covering a turbojet and/or turbofan engine andinterconnecting with hoses to a 55 gallon drum or a filtration system toeliminate spillage and dumping of toxic runoff from turbojet andturbofan jet engines cleaning and provide an economical and ecologicaland legal means for airlines to dispose of runoff from engines.

[0020] A related object of the present invention is to provide anenclosed system for legally cleaning turbojet and turbofan engines on aregular basis at any desired time for more frequent cleanings, creatinggreater fuel efficiency to save on fuel costs and to prolong the life ofthe engines by saving in engine replacement costs.

[0021] In brief the present invention is for a jacket or wet suitcompletely encasing a turbojet or turbofan engine and a filtrationsystem or a drum or 55 gallon barrel interconnected by hoses creating ajet engine cleaning system that confines the spraying, filtering andcollecting of chemical spray and toxic runoff to a confined system.After filtering out the toxic chemicals the waste may then be disposedof in an environmentally safe manner without violating any regulationsand without harming the environment.

[0022] The jacket or wet suit may be sold separately to be used withouta filtration system or sold together with a complete system includingthe portable filtration system and interconnecting hoses for acompletely closed system.

[0023] The present invention would be compatible with approximately morethan 50 different turbojet and/or turbofan engines worldwide for aglobal solution with an environmentally safe system for gas turbineengine maintenance.

[0024] A primary advantage of the present invention is that the legaland inexpensive system for cleaning turbojet and turbofan engines willenable more frequent cleaning of the engines and the related savings infuel efficiency and a longer engine life, as well as money saved by theairlines in not having to pay fines for violating the EPA codes andregulations.

[0025] Another major advantage of the present invention is thebeneficial effect on the environment by preventing the dumping of toxicchemicals into the drainage system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other details of my invention will be described inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only byway of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in whichdrawings:

[0027]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the total jet engineenclosure in place around the jet engine with connecting hoses to a pumpand filtering system and to a spray pump forspraying liquids into theengine;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the total jet engineenclosure in place around the jet engine.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] In FIG. 1, a waterproof jet engine cover for use in cleaning jetengines comprises a waterproof cover 20 capable of enclosing a body of ajet engine 50 to seal off all drainage from the jet engine. The cover 20has a sealed waterproof connection to at least one drainage hose,preferably two including one bottom drainage hose 21 with a bottomsealed connection 23 to catch bottom runoff fluids and an exhaustdrainage hose 22 with an exhaust sealed connection 24 and a sealed elbowbend 25 to catch exhaust runoff fluids for draining the runoff fluidsinto a filtering system, such as a portable processing system 30 (FS-55manufactured by Fabco Industries) used in cleaning the jet engine andthe matter removed from the jet engine in cleaning, including toxicchemicals and particulates and deposits containing cyanide, lead, andcopper as well as other chemicals from the cleaning fluid. This portablefiltering system 30 comprises a pump, and filters on a cart with a base38, side rails 37, wheels 31 and handle 32.

[0030] Another sealed waterproof connection 43 receives water andcleaning fluids from a water and cleaner input hose 41 for inputtingwater and cleaners used in cleaning jet engines from a water andcleaning agent pumping system 40, which is also portable and easilytransported between engines and between planes.

[0031] The cover 20 has a form and structure and material strengthcapable of retaining its integrity as a seal around the body of the jetengine 50 while the jet engine is turned over and cleaning materials andwater sprayed into the engine and the cover is capable of resistingdamage from the water, the cleaning materials and the matter removedfrom the jet engine so that the cover can be reused in jet enginecleaning operations. The cover 20 has a form and structure capable offitting over a wide range of types of jet engines. The cover 20 isfabricated of a rubberized fabric capable of resisting chemicals andimpermeable to fluids.

[0032] In FIG. 2, a front portion of the cover may further comprise anopening 19 to admit air into the jet engine for turning over the enginein the gaspath cleaning process. The front opening 19 has an elasticizedrim 18 around the opening to seal the remainder of the cover tightlyaround the body of the jet engine. The elasticized rim 18 preferablycomprises a bungee cord loop sewn into the cover material around theperimeter of the rim.

[0033] The sealed waterproof connections 23, 24, and 43 comprisefunnel-shaped rubber boots adapted for connection to the hoses 21, 22,and 41.

[0034] The cover may be a separate unit provided to be used with anexisting filtering device and water/cleaning fluid pumping device or maybe provided as a system which includes the wet suit and the filteringsystem, and even the pumping sytem for water and cleaning substances.

[0035] In FIG. 1 a system, for cleaning a jet engine in an enclosedenvironment with fluids sealed in, comprises a waterproof cover 20 asdescribed above capable of enclosing a body of a jet engine 50 to sealof all drainage from the jet engine, a collecting barrel 34 or drum forthe runoff and/or a filtering system 30 comprising a pumping means and afiltering means capable of receiving runoff fluids used in cleaning ajet engine from preferably two drainage hoses 21 and 22 from the coverand capable of filtering the runoff fluids to remove toxic elements andmake the fluid environmentally safe for disposal, and a cleaning fluidpumping system 40 comprising a water and cleaning material pump capableof pumping water and cleaning materials into the at least one water andcleaner input hose 41 and into a jet engine for the purpose of cleaningthe jet engine.

[0036] In use a method for cleaning jet engines using a system forcleaning a jet engine in an enclosed environment with fluids sealed incomprises:

[0037] a first step of covering a jet engine 50 with a waterproof cover20 capable of enclosing a body of a jet engine to seal of all drainagefrom the jet engine, the cover having sealed waterproof connections 23and 24 to preferably two drainage hoses 21 and 22 for draining fluidsinto a filtering system used in cleaning the jet engine and the matterremoved from the jet engine in cleaning and a sealed waterproofconnection 43 to at least one water and cleaner input hose 41 forinputting water and cleaners used in cleaning jet engines, the coverhaving a form and structure and material strength capable of retainingits integrity as a seal around the body of the jet engine while the jetengine is turned over and cleaning materials and water sprayed into theengine and capable of resisting damage from the water, the cleaningmaterials and the matter removed from the jet engine so that the covercan be reused in jet engine cleaning operations and the cover having aform and structure capable of fitting over a wide range of types of jetengines;

[0038] a second step of pumping water and cleaning materials into the atleast one water and cleaner input hose 41 and into a jet engine for thepurpose of cleaning the jet engine using a cleaning fluid pumping system40 comprising a water and cleaning material pump;

[0039] a third step of collecting and filtering runoff fluids used incleaning a jet engine by using a filtering system 30 comprising apumping means and a filtering means capable of receiving runoff fluidsused in cleaning a jet engine from the drainage hoses 21 and 22 andcapable of filtering the runoff fluids to remove toxic elements and makethe fluid environmentally safe for disposal; a final step of pumping therunoff fluids into at least one container for disposal using a means forpumping filtered runoff fluids 30.

[0040] The method normally in the second step further comprises turningover the jet engine during the cleaning and admitting air into the jetengine by means of a front portion of the cover further comprising anopening 19 to admit air into the jet engine for turning over the enginein the cleaning process, the front opening having an elasticized rim 18around the opening to seal the remainder of the cover tightly around thebody of the jet engine.

[0041] It is understood that the preceding description is given merelyby way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and thatvarious modifications may be made thereto without departing from thespirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A waterproof jet engine cover for use in cleaning the inside of turbojet and turbofan engines, the cover comprising: a waterproof cover capable of enclosing a body of a jet engine to seal off all drainage from the jet engine, the cover having a sealed waterproof connection to at least one drainage hose for draining fluids into a fluid collection means for environmentally safe disposal of the drainage and a sealed waterproof connection to at least one water and cleaner input hose for inputting water and cleaners used in cleaning jet engines, the cover having a form and structure and material strength capable of retaining its integrity as a seal around the body of the jet engine while the engine is turned over and cleaning materials and water sprayed into the engine and capable of resisting damage from the water, the cleaning materials and the matter removed from the jet engine so that the cover can be reused in jet engine cleaning operations and the cover having a form and structure capable of fitting over a wide range of types of turbojet and turbofan engines.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the fluid collection means comprises a filtering system used in cleaning the inside of jet engines and filtering the drainage removed from the jet engine in cleaning.
 3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the fluid collection means comprises sealed container for fluids which may be transported to dispose of the drainage in an environmentally safe manner.
 4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is fabricated of a rubberized fabric capable of resisting chemicals and impermeable to fluids.
 5. The cover of claim 1 wherein a front portion of the cover further comprises an opening to admit air into the jet engine for turning over the engine in the cleaning process, the front opening having an elasticized rim around the opening to seal the remainder of the cover tightly around the body of the jet engine
 6. The cover of claim 5 wherein the elasticized rim comprises a bungee cord sewn into the cover material around the perimeter of the rim
 7. The cover of claim 1 wherein the sealed waterproof connections comprise funnel-shaped rubber boots adapted for connection to the at least one drainage hose and the at least one water and cleaner input hose.
 8. A system for cleaning the inside of turbojet and turbofan engines in an enclosed environment with fluids sealed in, the system comprising: a waterproof cover capable of enclosing a body of a jet engine to seal of all drainage from the jet engine, the cover having a sealed waterproof connection to at least one drainage hose for draining fluids and a sealed waterproof connection to at least one water and cleaner input hose for inputting water and cleaners used in cleaning jet engines, the cover having a form and structure and material strength capable of retaining its integrity as a seal around the body of the jet engine while the jet engine is turned over and cleaning materials and water sprayed into the engine and capable of resisting damage from the water, the cleaning materials and the matter removed from the jet engine so that the cover can be reused in jet engine cleaning operations and the cover having a form and structure capable of fitting over a wide range of types of turbojet and/or turbofan engines; a fluid collection means capable of receiving the drainage from the at least one drainage hose for environmentally safe disposal of the drainage; cleaning fluid pumping system comprising a water and cleaning material pump capable of pumping water and cleaning materials into the at least one water and cleaner input hose and into a jet engine for the purpose of cleaning the jet engine.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the means of collecting fluid comprises a filtering means capable of receiving the drainage used in cleaning the inside of a jet engine from the at least one drainage hose and capable of filtering the drainage to remove toxic elements and make the drainage environmentally safe for disposal.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the means of collecting fluid comprises a sealed container capable of receiving, storing, and transporting the drainage for proper disposal of the drainage.
 11. The system of claim 8 wherein the cover is fabricated of a rubberized fabric capable of resisting chemicals and impermeable to fluids.
 12. The system of claim 8 wherein a front portion of the cover further comprises an opening to admit air into the jet engine for turning over the engine in the cleaning process, the front opening having an elasticized rim around the opening to seal the remainder of the cover tightly around the body of the jet engine.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the elasticized rim comprises a bungee cord sewn into the cover material around the perimeter of the rim.
 14. The system of claim 8 wherein the sealed waterproof connections comprise funnel-shaped rubber boots adapted for connection to the at least one drainage hose and the at least one water and cleaner input hose.
 15. A method for cleaning the inside of turbojet and turbofan engines using a system for cleaning the inside of turbojet and turbofan engines in an enclosed environment with fluids sealed in, the method comprising: a first step of covering a jet engine with a waterproof cover capable of enclosing a body of a jet engine to seal of all drainage from the jet engine, the cover having a sealed waterproof connection to at least one drainage hose for receiving the drainage and a sealed waterproof connection to at least one water and cleaner input hose for inputting water and cleaners used in cleaning the inside of jet engines, the cover having a form and structure and material strength capable of retaining its integrity as a seal around the body of the jet engine while the jet engine is turned over and cleaning materials and water sprayed into the engine and capable of resisting damage from the water, the cleaning materials and the matter removed from the jet engine so that the cover can be reused in jet engine cleaning operations and the cover having a form and structure capable of fitting over a wide range of types of jet engines; a second step of pumping water and cleaning materials into the at least one water and cleaner input hose and into a jet engine for the purpose of cleaning the jet engine using a cleaning fluid pumping system comprising a water and cleaning material pump; a third step of collecting the drainage from the at least one drainage hose in and filtering runoff fluids used in cleaning a jet engine by using a filtering system comprising a pumping means and a filtering means capable of receiving runoff fluids used in cleaning a jet engine from the at least one drainage hose and capable of filtering the runoff fluids to remove toxic elements and make the fluid environmentally safe for disposal.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein step 3 comprises receiving the drainage in a filtering means capable of receiving the drainage used in cleaning the inside of a jet engine from the at least one drainage hose and capable of filtering the drainage to remove toxic elements and make the drainage environmentally safe for disposal.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein step 3 comprises receiving the drainage from the at least one drainage hose in a sealed container capable of receiving, storing, and transporting the drainage for environmentally safe disposal of the drainage
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second step further comprises turning over the jet engine during the cleaning and admitting air into the jet engine by means of a front portion of the cover further comprising an opening to admit air into the jet engine for turning over the engine in the cleaning process, the front opening having an elasticized rim around the opening to seal the remainder of the cover tightly around the body of the jet engine. 